I’m attempting to tackle John Owen’s masterpiece of writing on sanctification, Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers. This volume is not light reading. It’s a chore. It’s one of those elephants you have to eat one little bite at a time. As I chew on Owen’s words, part of my aid to digestion will entail jotting down a summary of his words in my own, as I consider the Scriptures he expounds and the instruction he gives. In chapter two, Owen transitions from a point teaching how “Indwelling sin always abides whilst we are in this world,” to his next point which adds the further truth that “Sin doth not only still abide in us, but is still acting, still laboring to bring forth the deeds of the flesh.”

In this passage, Owen writes, “Now, it being our duty to mortify, to be killing of sin whilst it is in us, we must be at work. He that is appointed to kill an enemy, if he leave striking before the other ceases living, doth but half his work. These are words that “struck” me.

Galatians. 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . . “

2 Corinthians 7:1 “Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”

This text from 2 Corinthians is especially helpful when considered in its context. Paul here encourages the Corinthians to purify themselves and perfect holiness out of reverence for God. But what indicatives form the basis for these imperatives? To what gospel promises does Paul appeal in order to motivate such a response? At the end of chapter six, Paul stated several of God’s promises from the Old Testament which speak of his gospel intention to enjoy the company of his Redeemed.”What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people’ (cf. Leviticus 26:11-12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27). Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you” (Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, 41).

What are God’s gospel intentions which call us to remain separate from, leave untouched, and, indeed, kill, sin? By the gracious redemption purchased by Christ in his victorious life of active obedience to God and utter defeat of sin in his death and resurrection for sinners, God’s intention is to “make (his) dwelling with them.” Think about that: if you are redeemed, it is because God is pleased to live with you! “. . . And walk among them . . . ” As the company of the redeemed, we ought not gather to have a good time with each other, or to impress each other with our outward displays of godliness, but we are called to gather and walk together because God is pleased to walk among the company of those redeemed by Christ from their bondage to sin! How easily we forget this as we walk ever so thoughtlessly in our sinful, defiling lusts. “I will be their God.” Our God? He redeemed us, so he could be our God? Who are we that he is mindful of us? We are nobodies in and of ourselves! But God was graciously pleased to place sinners such as us into his beloved Son in whom he is well pleased (Matthew 17:5). ” . . . ‘And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me,’ says the Lord Almighty” (v. 18).

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, with Grandma and the Indians . . .

Owen continues:
“2. Sin doth not only still abide in us, but is still acting, still laboring to bring forth the deeds of the flesh. When sin lets us alone we may let sin alone; but as sin is never less quiet than when it seems to be most quiet, and its waters are for the most part deep when they are still, so ought our contrivances against it to be vigorous at all times and in all conditions, even where there is least suspicion.” This resembles those scenes in the old war movies where the general is unnerved by the enemy’s silence: “It’s quiet–too quiet!” Believers must remain on guard even when they aren’t conscious of temptation–your inner enemy, sin, is merely reloading and plotting your downfall.

Here are some of the Scriptures Owen cites in support of the above statements:

Sin doth not only abide in us, but “the law of the members is still rebelling against the law of the mind,” (Romans 7:23);

and “the spirit that dwells in us lusteth to envy” (James 4:5)

It is always in continual work; “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit” (Galatians 5:17)

Lust is still tempting and conceiving sin (James 1:14)

The Holy Spirit who indwells the believer has desires for his behavior which contradict the desires that his indwelling sin nature has for him. The flesh (sinful desire) seeks on an ongoing basis to entice the believer to sin and the Holy Spirit is calling him to rely on him out of love for the Son of God to do what he desires him to do. Believer, hear the Spirit’s call and heed it, while, like Russel Crowe’s character in the movie, A Beautiful Mind, resisting, ignoring, neglecting and marginalizing the flesh’s regular attempts to lure you into sin.

Here are my concluding thoughts which were spurred by Owen’s words:

Since sin will dwell in the justified believer for his entire life, and is constantly engaged with him in a fight to the death, the justified believer must likewise engage in an offensive to the death against sin, relying not on his own moral strength, but on the power of the sanctifying Holy Spirit in the Word of God (the Law and the Gospel–1 Peter 1:25) as it is carefully heard, prudently applied and diligently obeyed (James 1:19-25). How a professing believer responds to the onslaughts of his own indwelling sin has eternal consequences (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

If the believer refuses up front, or surrenders to a life of unrepentant sin before his own death (Matthew 21:28-32), he stands liable to the judgment of God as a false believer who allowed sin to kill him, finding that he was never a justified believer to begin with (Matthew 7:23). But if the believer perseveres in the fight to the death with sin, then, when he dies, he will be found finally as a justified believer who has spent his life being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and now stands to be glorified (1 Corinthians 15:50-58) to live forever in his flesh, finally victorious over sin in Christ, who himself defeated sin for us (Matthew 4:1-11) in order to defeat sin in us as we gratefully return our love to him by our obedient resistance to temptation, and disciplined pursuit of godliness and righteousness (Matthew 5:6; 6:33).

“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation” (Matthew 26:41).

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before.

Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle
see His banners go!

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before.

At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!

Hell’s foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise.

Onward, Christian soldiers
marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus
going on before.

Like a mighty army
moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
where the saints have trod.

We are not divided,
all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
one in charity.

Onward, Christian soldiers
marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus
going on before.

What the saints established
that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd,
that I believe too.

Long as earth endureth,
men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires,
in destruction rolled.

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus
going on before.

Crowns and thrones may perish,
kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus
constant will remain.

Gates of hell can never
‘gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise,
and that cannot fail.

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus
going on before.

Onward then, ye people,
join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
in the triumph song.

Glory, laud and honor
unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages
men and angels sing.

Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus
going on before.